Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School

Minutes from

General PTA Meeting

September 19, 2007

“Mini” Meeting at Back to School Night

 

     Diane Hogan greeted everyone then turned it over to Ms. Dollinger, who stated that Monsignor McIntyre, Fr. Vandergrift, and Fr. Forbes all send their regrets.  She then opened with a prayer.

 

Diane Hogan/PTA President

     Mark your calendars for Wed. Oct. 17, 2007.  The PTA will be having a round table discussion.  Come prepared with your comments, questions, and concerns.

 

Introduction of Board Members    

     President – Diane Hogan

     1st Vice-President – Denise Adams

     2nd Vice-President – Valarie Sorensen

     Treasurer – Maria Mulville     

     Recording Secretary – Donna Kanya

We are still working on filling all of the class representative positions and are in need of 3rd, 6th, and possibly a few others if anyone is interested……

 

    Diane then told us a little about herself:  This is her 3rd term as PTA President, she has 4 boys, and her youngest is in 5th grade.

     She asked everyone to please take a look at the pamphlet entitled “How You Can Help,” It gave details on the various fundraisers for the year.  If you are interested in helping out with any of the events in the pamphlet, please let someone on the board know, or if you have any ideas yourself, we would be welcome to hear them.

 

Joan Dollinger/Principal

     Ms. Dollinger welcomed all – “old” and “new” to OLSOS Regional School.  She stated that everyone is working to make the best of the merger, and that progress has been made in the past 2 weeks.  The round table meeting in October is important.  It will be a relaxing atmosphere (wine and cheese) where you can give your opinions, express your concerns, and have your questions answered.  The date for this meeting is Wed. Oct. 17.

     The opening mass was concelebrated by Msgr. McIntyre, Fr. Vandergrift, and Fr. Forbes.  The merger was a blessing.  Even the secular news reporter at the mass felt the unity in the church.  He was aware of the difficult time everyone had last year.  We all want what is best for our children, and that is what it is all about.

 

Study Island

     New at our School – It is a standards based program (reading, language, writing etc.) which the public schools use to help prepare for standardized state tests.

(Our school gives the IOWA’s.)  We are only the 3rd Catholic School in NJ to have purchased this program.  Ms. Dollinger then turned it over to Miss B. and Sr. Linda who have worked hard on setting up this program.

 

Miss B. and Sister Linda

      Since most colleges, universities, and high schools still base their acceptances on standardized tests, this should help our students better prepare for them.  This doesn’t replace work in the classroom or homework, but works as a supplement.  The older students (grades 5-8) can use it during their advisory periods.  Teachers can modify everything a child does on Study Island.  Every child starts at a standard proficiency level that can be raised or lowered according to that child’s level. This program can be custom- made by the teacher.  Children can earn “blue ribbons” if they complete all their tasks at their individual level.   Ms. Dollinger, Sr. Linda and the teachers all get a report.  You can go to www.studyisland.com, or reach it by the link on our web-site.  There is a tutorial on-line.  It is NOT necessary to have internet access at home because the children can get time in school to use it.      

      Sr. Linda gave us a demo.  Type in the student’s name (ex. John Doe would be entered as j.doe@star).  The password would be star.  The system will force your child to make a password. If your child forgets his/her password, just e-mail Sister and she can get the password for you.  Every child must start with a pre-test because every child will be accessed individually.  The children will learn all this in the classroom and they will probably be able to show you how to do it.  Parents can check how their child is doing.  You can compare you child against ALL students in NJ as well as all the students in your child’s classroom.

     Parents can be tutored on this by Miss B. and Sr. Linda on Wednesdays.

 

Back to Ms. Dollinger……….

    Please check the school web-site for teachers’ e-mail addresses and web pages.  We are definitely making progress in technology.  We currently have 5 white boards: two in the media/computer lab, one in the 8th grade classroom, one in the 7th, and one downstairs.  The Accelerated Reader Program from St. Raymond’s is up and running.  Eighth grade has 30 lap tops, 7th has 7, and there are 13 in the computer lab.

 

Church Werks Program

     This is a new program that is being piloted by the Diocese. Only 8 schools were chosen, and OLSOS was one of them; therefore, we are a pilot school.  This program will computerize report cards.  Parents will be able to check their children’s grades on-line.  Some of you may be familiar with Power School.  This program was not chosen because it was not considered to be user-friendly.

 

New Report Cards

     The Archdiocese has divided the school year and marking periods into 4 quarters instead of 3 trimesters.  There will not be any progress reports – only deficiency notices.  Grades K-2 will have a completely different report card, while grades 3-8 will receive numerical grades.

 

 

 

     Ms. Dollinger told us that this is her 10th year as a Catholic School principal.  She was principal at St. Nicholas for 6 years.  Her goal is to make OLSOS a premiere Catholic school. 

     We have piloted the Singapore math program last year for grades K, 1, and 2.  This year it moves to grade 3.  The program discourages its users to start in the upper grades. Singapore is #1 in the world in math and science, and that is why we are using this program.  Its philosophy is based on less is more.  Parents can check out a web-site for the South River School District which gives more information on Singapore Math.  A teacher from that district has posted information for parents which is written in such a way that it makes it easy for parents to understand.

 

     The faculty was introduced along with the office staff.  Maria Mulville’s new position was described as being in charge of enrollment, alumni, publicity, etc.

We were asked to remember Mrs. Knowlton’s husband in our prayers.

 

     It was announced that Mrs. DiPasquale has been chosen as a finalist in the Non-Public School Teacher of the Year Award.  She was chosen to represent the Diocese, and is one of 5 finalists.

 

     Ms. Dollinger then went on to say that she looks forward to working with us, the parents.  We should keep the lines of communication open.  E-mail is one way to keep in touch.

     We have a very educated staff.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child, please go to the teacher first.

     She then went over various miscellaneous topics:

         * Our Star2 electives continue to grow.

         * She spoke of the “stars of faith, learning, character, and fun.”

         * The PTA executive board was thanked for all their hard work.

         * The Carnival went well this summer.

         * Important papers were sent home, please fill all of them out, and return       

            to school.

         * School starts @ 8:10.  Your child is late after that.  Children can begin

            entering the building @ 7:50am.

* School ends@ 2:50pm.  If your child is not picked up by 3:00 then he or she 

   will be sent to EDP.

* Call by 9am if your child is going to be absent.  We will call you if you don’t.

* Miss Janet is in charge of the lunch program.  Please remember no soda or

   drinks in glass containers.

* We are in need of library helpers.

* Please follow the rules concerning uniforms and hairstyles.  Some of the young men are in need of a typical Catholic school boy’s haircut.  There is no sense in having a rule if the rule isn’t followed.

         * Please buy scrip, and support the magazine drive.

The meeting then adjourned to classroom visits.

Minutes submitted by Donna Kanya